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Himes celebrates VAWA Anniversary

WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement today on the 23rd anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women Act:

“Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), signed into law on September 13, 1994 by President Bill Clinton. Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking are fundamentally corrosive and destructive, and for too long our country did not do enough to deter these crimes. VAWA helped coordinate the resources of local, state and federal agencies to prevent and address domestic violence, while providing victims with critical services. According to the Department of Justice, domestic violence has dropped by more than half since the law was enacted.

“Although Congress was divided in 1994, as it is today, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass VAWA because it was the right thing to do. We have the same opportunity today to cut through the bipartisan mire and pass groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation to help Americans. Whether it’s creating a $1 trillion infrastructure plan, simplifying and strengthening our tax code or delivering permanent status to hundreds of thousands of “Dreamers,” this Congress must find a way to work together and produce the meaningful, lasting legislation the American people rightfully expect from their elected officials. We must do it because it is good for our country, good for our economy and, most importantly, the right thing to do.

“As leader of the forward-looking New Democrat Coalition, I’m excited by the prospect of passing bipartisan, far-reaching legislation that can have as lasting and dramatic an impact on American life as VAWA. I’m hopeful that my more pragmatic colleagues from both sides of the aisle can find a way to put aside our partisan differences and take advantage of this chance to effect lasting change.”